CHICAGO (Feb. 26, 2024) - Chicago Fire FC midfielder Brian Gutiérrez has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 1 and 2 after recording a goal and an assist in Saturday night’s 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union at Subaru Park in Chester, Pa.
This marks the sixth time Gutiérrez, 20, has featured in the MLS Team of the Matchday in his career, and the fourth time he appears in the starting XI, after being selected to the TOTM’s bench on two occasions in 2023. Most recently, he was named to the Team of the Matchday in Matchday 34 of last season after being involved in both goals in a 2-2 tie against the New England Revolution on Sept. 23, 2023, at Soldier Field.
The young Homegrown Player recorded his first goal of the season in impressive fashion last weekend. After receiving a pass from midfielder Fabian Herbers, Gutiérrez found himself streaking towards the goal. Just outside the box, Gutiérrez scorched a shot past Union goalkeeper Oliver Semmle to give Chicago their first goal of the 2024 regular season.
With his goal, Gutiérrez became the first Homegrown in Fire history to score in the season opener and the second-youngest player to score the Club’s first goal of the season at 20 years, 252 days. He passed Club legend DaMarcus Beasley, who was 20 years, 324 days (April 13, 2003, vs. New England).
Gutiérrez would cap off his Team of the Matchday performance with an assist on Herbers’ goal in the 81st minute. After a shot from midfielder Maren Haile-Selassie was steered away by Semmle, the ball landed to Gutiérrez in a dangerous position inside the box. The Chicago native found Herbers to his left to give Chicago a late lead on the road. With the assist, Gutiérrez recorded his fourth career multi-goal contribution in an MLS match.
Chicago will host 2023 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati on Saturday, March 2 at Soldier Field. Scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. CT on MLS Season Pass, the match against Cincinnati will mark the earliest home opener in Club history, occurring two days prior to the Club’s 2023 opener. The match will also be transmitted locally via WLS-AM 890 and WRTO 1200 AM.
